Alcohol – Now that you’ve experienced your near 10 months of sobriety and been your hubby’s DD, it’s your turn! If you’re breastfeeding, it’s okay to take advantage as well, to an extent. Beer can even help boost your milk supply. After those long days and nights the first few weeks, you’re going to want to indulge a little, believe me! Even if alcohol isn’t your thing, I’m sure there is something that can help you unwind – exercise, ice cream, a good book, etc.
Breastfeeding – If you are able and want to breastfeed, this is going to be a big part of your life now that your baby is here. At the end of the day, do what is best for you and your new baby. Seek out support from friends, support groups, blogs, or a lactation consultant if you have questions or concerns. YOU can do it! The first few weeks can be the roughest, but don’t let that stop you. You’ll be glad you did it in the end. Plus, it’s totally convenient, saves money, and is super healthy for you and your baby.
Coffee – If you’re like me, you will find that there will NEVER be enough coffee some days. Drink up! If you avoided caffeine while you were pregnant, good for you. Now it’s time to welcome it back! I look forward to my morning cup of coffee, whether I’m drinking hurriedly on my way to work or sipping on it cold after several hours of chasing my kiddos around the house, it still tastes good. Enjoy!
Diapers – Whether cloth or disposable, these will be a part of your life for quite some time, especially if you have multiple little ones. You’ll change a bazillion (thats an understatement) of them and get quite good at it! Sometimes I think of it as a game – how fast can I get the dirty one off and the new one on – especially with my newest little guy. I have to get him changed before he decides he’s going to pee all over us both.
Eating – Make sure you’re not only feeding your baby and your family, but you’re not forgetting to feed yourself. Mommy needs food for fuel. You might think you’ve eaten enough by eating your toddlers’ leftovers or grabbing a quick bite on your way out the door in the morning, but more than likely it’s not enough. Try to eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day if it’s too hard to sit down for 3 meals. Your kids keep you busy, but you need to make sure your eating so you have the energy to keep up!
Fights – Pick your battles with your kiddos. Don’t argue over things that at the end of the day are unimportant. I know I haven’t even reached the peak of this because my kiddos are still little, but even with my almost 3 year old it has started. I’ve learned to not argue over the shirt she picked out or whether she has her shoes on the right feet but instead about brushing her teeth or holding my hand in a busy parking lot.
Giggles – There is nothing better than hearing our little babies giggle. Even though my oldest is going on 3, I still can’t get enough of her little belly laughs and the way her face lights up when she is happy and giggly. My youngest is 6 months old and in the phase where we can make him laugh now. I love hearing him and trying new ways to make him giggle at me.
Hero – I hope that someday my kids can say that I am their hero (or one of them). It’s actually something that I think about a lot and something that I strive to be for them. As their Mommy, I try to always keep in mind their best interest and to do things I would want them to be proud of me for. I want them to be able to look up to me as their role model. I need to be a positive influence and make good decisions in my life for them.
Inseparable – I didn’t leave my almost 3 year old overnight until right before her 2nd birthday. Am I crazy? Maybe just a little. I never had a reason to spend a night away from her so I just never did it. I’m inseparable from my kids, but at the same time I know and need to remember that someday I will have to let them go. I have to let my kids become their own individuals but that doesn’t mean I never, ever want to leave them!
Juggling – A great blog written by one of my fellow mommies here with Burrito Buzz. As mommies, we do all kinds of juggling! It’s an adjustment being a parent, but it’s the greatest adjustment we will ever adapt to. We aren’t perfect and being a Mommy is a lot of work, but we sure do know how to juggle it all in the end. You’re all pretty amazing!
Kitchen – You might be spending more time in here now that you have bottles and other baby items to wash which means your mobile little ones might be too. Make sure this area is safe. Make sure you have the cupboards and drawers kid-locked, especially those with sharp objects and harmful chemicals. We tried to keep at least one drawer and one cupboard accessible to our little ones so they could play in them with more kid friendly kitchen items. They love that!
Laundry – It is never ending, literally. The minute I feel like I’m all caught up, another load comes down the laundry chute. I’m so lucky that my husband and I share this chore, because it is time consuming. I wish I was better at doing like a load or two everyday instead of waiting and doing load after load all in one day. Maybe that way it wouldn’t seem like so much!
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse –Will this show ever go away!? I’m sure as my daughter who will be 3 in April grows out of Mickey Mouse, my 6 month old son will just be starting to like it. And the cycle will just continue – I’m stuck with it forever! We always have episodes saved in our DVR and it’s by far my daughter’s favorite cartoon. I guess there are worse things than hearing the Hot Dog song 5-6 times a day.
Naked – Our little ones have super sensitive skin and much of the time they are dressed, so take advantage of the naked times and make sure their skin is still precious as ever! Check for any new skin rashes, bumps, bruises, etc.
Outside – Get out when you can and when the weather allows it. I always want my kids to want to be outside playing. I never want them to be the kids that are inside glued to the TV sitting on the couch. The activities outdoors are endless. Some of our favorites at home include the swing set, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and going for walks.
Pack – I’ve become quite the packer. Nights before I work the next day, I always get everything packed up for me, my husband, and the kiddos. It makes it a thousand times easier getting out the door in the morning. I also always have a fully stocked and ready to go diaper bag. I try to have a small bag left in each of our cars too with the basic essentials so my husband and I both always have whatever we might need when we are out.
Quiet time – You will learn to value the quiet moments. Being a Mommy can be chaotic, overwhelming, and just plain busy. I feel like I’m in a constant rush, rush, rush mode; especially through the work week. That quiet time, whether it’s in the mornings when I’m pumping before everyone else in the house is up or at night when I get to get a shower by myself, uninterrupted, is precious time. Enjoy it, soak it up.
Responsibility – There is no greater responsibility than being a parent. Not only are you responsible for making sure the essential daily needs of your children are met, but you are responsible for being a positive role model and support system. It’s the best responsibility but also the most crucial.
Spouse – I am a firm believer in spouses working together as a team when it comes to family and their household. You have to stick together on everything – discipline, chores, good times, bad times – your kids will sense when you don’t see eye to eye. If you do have fights (because let’s face it, you will) do it behind closed doors and don’t take it out on your kiddos. But at the end of the day, stick together and love one another.
Toddler – Although a super fun stage of our kiddos lives, it also brings its challenges. My oldest is a toddler. It’s so rewarding to watch her constantly learn, grow, and develop into a little girl who isn’t a baby any longer. I can see her own personality more and more. With that brings opinions, arguments, and tantrums, but it’s part of who she is becoming. Even in the most trying of moments, I know some day I will look back and miss these times! Enjoy them.
Unconditional love – There is not a better term to describe the relationship between parents and their kiddos. No matter how angry they make you or how disgusting they can be, we still love them. There will be days when they make you want to pull all of your hair out and nights where they won’t let you sleep, but we love them no matter what.
Versatile – “able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities” – This is very important as a parent with little ones running around. I have quickly learned since becoming a mother that I have to be versatile. My plans may not always go the way I envisioned and I may never be on time again, but I can’t let that get me down. What matters is that me, my husband, and my little ones are happy.
Water – It is the best beverage for you and yours kiddos. If you struggle with drinking just plain water, add some lemon or lime. My kiddos only drink juice on rare occasions because I think it’s important for them to actually like water. I didn’t grow up that way and it took me until I was pregnant with my first to really start to like water and drink it all the time. I hope my kids can be the same because water is so important!!
XOXO – As a parent, there is NEVER enough of these!! I especially love the before bed hugs and kisses and when my toddler kisses my 6 month old. It just makes my heart smile! I also love the hugs and kisses from my husband. I think our kids need to see that lovable connection between their parents.
Yelling – It is so difficult as a parent sometimes to keep your composure and not go off the handle on your kiddos, especially when it is over something minuscule. Maybe you’re just having a bad day. No matter what, try to think about it first before you yell at your little ones. I think there are moments when you need to raise your voice to get your point across, but if all you’re doing is yelling; your kids aren’t going to listen.
ZZZZZZ – Have you been missing this lately?! I’ve learned to greatly appreciate every little bit of “ZZZZZs” that I can get since becoming a Mommy, even more so the second time around. With my first kiddo, I could rest and nap when she did, but that is so not the case with baby #2. One of them usually always needs me. I find myself doing things around the house or watching my DVR on the off chance they are both napping because there is always something to catch up on!
-Megan
Perfectly Imperfect Parenting 